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Cults and the Culting of America

Cults and the Culting of America

By: Daniella Mestyanek Young
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About this listen

 Daniella Mestyanek Young is a captivating figure in the study of cults and group psychology. Raised in the notorious Children of God cult, she escaped as a teenager and later joined the U.S. military, where she specialized in studying terrorists and other extreme groups as a military intelligence officer. Daniella holds a master's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Harvard Extension School and is the author of "Uncultured," a critically acclaimed memoir. Today, she is a scholar of cults, extreme groups, and toxic leadership, leveraging her unique experiences to illuminate the dynamics of cults and the manipulative tactics of charismatic leaders. Together with fellow cult survivor Scot Loyd, Daniella delves into the intricacies of some of the world's most notorious cults and reveals how these same manipulative techniques are present in various aspects of our society.2024 Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Episode 41 | Decolonizing Yourself with Hilary Giovale

    Episode 41 | Decolonizing Yourself with Hilary Giovale
    Jun 10 2025
    In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, host Scot Loyd and Daniella Mestyanek-Young (KnittingCultLady) sit down with Hilary Giovale—a ninth-generation settler living among Indigenous communities in Northern Arizona. Hilary opens up about her journey from segregation to engaging deeply with Native communities, emphasizing how re-education and personal healing can unravel the lasting wounds of colonialism. Hilary discusses the trauma inflicted by Indigenous boarding schools and the persistent impact of white supremacy on both marginalized communities and white culture. By practicing ancestral reverence and focusing on actionable reparations—like supporting sacred landscape protection and Indigenous-led initiatives—Hilary and her guests illustrate the transformative power of honest dialogue and community-based healing. For more on Hilary’s work, listeners are encouraged to visit her website, GoodRelative.com. Hilary's Links: Her Book: Becoming a Good Relative Guide to Making a Personal Reparations Plan An Indigenous Peoples History of the United States, by Roxanne Dunbar-OrtizMy Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies, by Resmaa Menakem Reclaiming Our Indigenous European Roots, by Lyla June JohnstonListeners can donate to the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition to support the continued research and documentation Daniella's Links: You can read all about my story in my book, Uncultured-- buy signed copies here. https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured For more info on me: Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Get an autographed copy of my book, Uncultured: https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Daniella’s Tiktok: https://bit.ly/4bwvNC0 Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8 Other Podcasts Daniella's other podcast: Hey White Women Scot's TikTok @thescotloyd Haley's Tiktok @nuancedmasculinities Takeaways Transformative Re-education: Hilary shares her journey from a segregated existence to building respectful relationships with Indigenous communities. Boarding School Trauma: The discussion highlights the deep and enduring pain caused by Indigenous boarding schools and their impact on cultural identity. Confronting White Supremacy: The conversation emphasizes the need to recognize and dismantle the harmful legacy of white supremacy, both for marginalized people and within white culture itself. Humility and Listening: Hilary stresses the importance of approaching new communities with genuine curiosity, humility, and a readiness to learn rather than impose. Ancestral Healing Practices: The practice of ancestral reverence—such as maintaining an ancestor altar—is offered as a powerful tool for personal and collective healing. Community-Based Action: The episode underlines the significance of supporting sacred landscape protection, Indigenous-led initiatives, and creating personal reparations plans as crucial steps toward healing. Produced by Haley Phillips
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    57 mins
  • Episode 40 | Scot wrote a book!

    Episode 40 | Scot wrote a book!
    Jun 3 2025
    This week on Cults and the Culting of America, we’re turning the mic toward someone you all know well—our beloved cohost, Scot Loyd. With no guest this episode, Daniella takes the opportunity to spotlight Scot’s powerful personal journey and upcoming book, The God That I Was Given. In an open and layered conversation, Scot reflects on his years inside the United Pentecostal Church, his rise to leadership, and what it meant to deconstruct the faith and ideologies that shaped him. He and Daniella discuss the gendered nature of cult experiences, the silence often expected of men, and how writing becomes both a weapon and a lifeline for survivors. They also dig deep into the racist roots of Pentecostalism, the enduring myth of white Christian victimhood, and how cult dynamics echo through American politics today. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or are just tuning in, this intimate episode offers a closer look at Scot’s story and the broader systems of power so many of us are still trying to untangle. Daniella's Links: You can read all about my story in my book, Uncultured-- buy signed copies here. https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured For more info on me: Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Get an autographed copy of my book, Uncultured: https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Daniella’s Tiktok: https://bit.ly/4bwvNC0 Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8 Other Podcasts Daniella's other podcast: Hey White Women Scot's TikTok @thescotloyd Haley's Tiktok @nuancedmasculinities Takeways Even Survivors Can Be Complicit Scot reflects on how he not only endured harm within the United Pentecostal Church but also perpetuated it as a preacher and leader. His journey involves confronting both victimhood and complicity—a nuanced look at accountability in high-control systems. Patriarchy Shields Men from Cult Harm—and From Speaking Out The conversation explores why fewer men write cult survivor memoirs: patriarchal systems often cushion men from the worst abuses and discourage emotional vulnerability, leaving their stories underrepresented. Faith Deconstruction Is Not Bitterness—It’s Clarity Scot addresses the accusation that leaving high-control religion makes you “bitter.” Drawing on biblical stories (like Naomi in Ruth), he reframes bitterness as a justified and even holy reaction to harm—and a fuel for transformation. Cults Mirror American Systems of Power The episode draws strong parallels between cult dynamics and systemic issues in the U.S., including white supremacy, evangelical nationalism, and the cult of personality around political figures like Donald Trump. Telling the Truth Is a Radical Act Both hosts emphasize the importance of sharing honest, unvarnished stories to give future generations language and context for their own experiences—and to challenge whitewashed versions of history. The Tools Used to Indoctrinate Can Be Used to Liberate Scot talks about reclaiming the skills he developed in church—preaching, writing, public speaking—to critique the very systems that shaped him. Daniella echoes this with her own story, highlighting the healing power of storytelling. Cult Experiences Are Strikingly Universal While each cult has its own doctrine or dogma, the episode highlights the common traits—performance culture, black-and-white thinking, suppression of autonomy—that unite cult survivors across backgrounds. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Book Projects 03:26 Exploring Gender Perspectives in Cult Experiences 06:37 The Unraveling of Beliefs and Personal Reflection 09:27 The Role of Education in Leaving Cults 12:20 Writing as a Tool for Healing and Reflection 15:36 Navigating the Complexity of Cult Narratives 18:24 Confronting the Charge of Bitterness 21:17 The Power of Personal Stories in Cult Recovery 24:25 The Importance of Documenting Experiences for Future Generations 31:56 The Burden of Representation in Cults 35:18 Historical Narratives and Cultural Spin 39:56 The Roots of Pentecostalism and Racism 44:39 The Legacy of Racism in American Christianity 49:40 Cult of Personality vs. Cult of Ideas 56:11 The Current Political Climate and Its Cult-like Dynamics Produced by Haley Phillips
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Episode 39 | "Satanic Panic" Facts and Fiction

    Episode 39 | "Satanic Panic" Facts and Fiction
    May 27 2025

    Summary

    In this episode, the hosts delve into the complex world of cults, focusing on the Satanic Panic and the influence of charismatic leaders like Franklin Jones. They explore the historical context of cults, the role of fear and control, and the lasting impact of cult experiences on individuals. Through personal stories and reflections, the conversation highlights the intricate dynamics of cults and their cultural significance. In this conversation, the participants explore the complexities of growing up in cult-like environments, the challenges of healing from trauma, and the nuances of personal identity shaped by these experiences. They discuss the importance of critical reflection on spiritual beliefs, the impact of family dynamics, and the struggle against misinformation and polarization in society. The dialogue emphasizes the need for understanding and compassion in navigating these difficult topics, while also recognizing the value of storytelling and fiction in processing and sharing their journeys.

    Scott’s (guest) Links:

    Website

    Daniella's Links:

    You can read all about my story in my book, Uncultured-- buy signed copies here. https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured

    For more info on me:

    Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding

    Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding

    Get an autographed copy of my book, Uncultured: https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured

    Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8

    Daniella’s Tiktok: https://bit.ly/4bwvNC0

    Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_

    Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook

    Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8

    Other Podcasts

    Daniella's other podcast: Hey White Women

    Scot's TikTok

    @thescotloyd

    Haley's Tiktok

    @nuancedmasculinities

    Takeaways

    • Cults often use fear as a tool for control.
    • The Satanic Panic was a significant cultural phenomenon.
    • Franklin Jones exemplified the charismatic cult leader.
    • Historical parallels exist between past witch hunts and modern cults.
    • Charisma plays a crucial role in attracting followers.
    • Fear of the unknown drives many cult narratives.
    • Cults can distort personal identities and experiences.
    • The impact of cult upbringing can last a lifetime.
    • Cultural context shapes the perception of cults.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Background of Guests
    03:16 Understanding the Satanic Panic
    10:08 Cultural Reflections and Modern Parallels
    12:55 The Role of Fear in Religious Contexts
    17:26 The Impact of Fiction on Beliefs
    23:01 Historical Context of Satanic Panic
    30:02 Education, Critical Thinking, and the Binary Mindset
    33:37 Escaping the World: A Discussion on Beliefs
    34:06 The Illusion of Quick Fixes: Mastery Takes Time
    36:15 The Heartbreak of Misguided Spiritual Practices
    39:12 The Daily Struggle: Healing from Trauma
    40:26 Faith vs. Fear: Understanding Belief Systems
    41:22 The Power of Fiction: Engaging with Difficult Truths
    43:57 Exploring Family Legacies: The Weight of Expectations
    48:57 Navigating Polarization: Engaging with Contradictory Beliefs
    50:51 Challenging Misinformation: The Role of Insiders
    54:07 The Complexity of Good and Evil: A Nuanced Perspective
    58:04 Cult Dynamics: The Influence of Upbringing on Beliefs
    01:03:48 Caring for Aging Parents and Reflecting on the Past

    Produced by Haley Phillips
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    1 hr and 5 mins
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